DIY Spring Foot Care Recipes
Spring is here and that means warmer weather and bare feet! Foot pampering is not just cosmetic; it also makes good health sense. Studies show that healthy feet equate to healthy bodies because it allows you to stay active and feel good about yourself. Here are some easy DIY recipes for you to enjoy and my basic “Home Pedicure” steps.
Basic Pedicure Steps:
The word pedicure means, “caring for the feet.” This process will help you relax and pamper your feet. Start with clean feet and remove all nail polish.
Soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes in a warm foot bath with some Epsom salts or sea salt added. With a natural brush scrub your feet, especially under your toenails. Use a wet pumice stone or exfoliating scrub (try cornmeal, beach sand, or the pumice foot scrub recipe) to gently rub away hard skin on your feet.
Trim your toenails after soaking them. It is easier and you will get a cleaner cut. Cut straight across to avoid painful ingrown nails.
Apply a foot mask. Use your favorite facial mask recipe: Natural clay mixed with some peppermint oil and water works well. Wrap you feet in plastic wrap and let sit for 15 - 20 minutes.
Rinse your feet with warm water followed by cool.
Massage a rich cream or natural oil into your toenails and gently push back the cuticles at the base of each nail. Never cut your cuticles; they play an important role in protecting your nails from infections.
Massage oil or cream in to your feet and elevate them again for 15 minutes. If you are giving yourself a pedicure in the evening, slip on some cotton socks before going to bed.
Herbal Foot Soak
To help soothe tired feet and remove rough skin spots it is best to soak your feet in a lukewarm bath of baking soda and vinegar. This recipe also uses some favorite foot soothing herbs such as lavender and thyme both of which are naturally antiseptic and comforting.
Ingredients:
2 quarts warm water
¼ cup baking soda
¼ cup herbal vinegar or plain white vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lavender flowers and leaves
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Directions:
Fill a large plastic pan or sink with warm water. Stir in the baking soda, vinegar and fresh herbs. The water will fizz and bubble when the soda and vinegar combine. To use: Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes. Pat dry and massage them with rich natural oil or foot cream.
Yield: 64 ounces
Happy Feet Mask
This foot mask made with fresh ingredients should make your feet feel happy and carefree!
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons fresh pineapple juice
1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil leaves
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1-2 tablespoons plain yogurt
Directions:
Place all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and mix well until you have a thick cream. To use: Spread the foot mask on clean feet, massaging it into your skin. Pay special attention to classic rough skin areas such as heels and toe pads. Wrap your feet in plastic wrap or cover them with thick cotton socks. Let the mask remain on your feet 15-20 minutes. Rinse well with cool water.
Yield: 2 ounces
Sweet Feet
After a day spent in garden boots or shoes your feet may not smell as good as your precious herbs and flowers. To sweeten your feet or cure a foot odor problem try a foot soak in natural tea. Soaking your feet in black tea will help reduce foot odor because tea is naturally astringent. It can help reduce the amount of perspiration your feet produce.
Ingredients:
2 cups boiling water
2 black tea bags
2 quarts of cool water
Directions:
Make a very strong tea by steeping the two tea bags in the boiling water for at least 15 minutes. Fill a large bowl or plastic pan with cool water and stir in the tea solution. Soak you feet for 20 minutes. Repeat this treatment every day for about a week. You should notice a decrease in foot odor.
Yield: 80 ounces
Happy Spring! I hope you get to run outside and wiggle your toes in the grass. You are beautiful! xoxo Janice
